Jeff, while I don't use the word myself, not because it has become politically incorrect, as they say, but because I just don't feel the need to use slurs. I do however, agree with you that it is a word blacks continually call themselves over and over again. It seems, for the most part, that is how they define themselves. I do feel, tho', that if a group of people, so to speak, want respect, they must first respect themselves. One just doesn't call his own people niggers and then demand that everyone else not do so....And besides, name calling is childish and counter productive.